2011 Women’s World Cup Winners Japan produced a scintillating display to blow away Spain in Wellington with three breakaway goals giving the Asian’s a 4-0 win to secure top spot in Group C.

Both sides came into the game knowing they would be in the knockout stages, and with results in Group A confirmed both sides knew a victory would reward them with a last 16 contest with Norway, ranked 11th in the world whereas a defeat would mean facing surprise Group A winners Switzerland, ranked 19th.

At times it seemed as if Spain were okay to sacrifice this particular battle to increase their chances of progression past the second round. Playing the ball around in the opening half, they were caught three times on blistering breaks by the Japanese.

While Spain enjoyed almost all of the possession in the opening stages of the game it was the Japanese who struck first on twelve minutes. A quick break down the left wing saw Jun Endo play a fabulous pass around the back of the Spanish defence. Miyazawa’s first touch was sublime and took the ball into the Spanish box where she simply passed the ball to the back of the net past Rodriquez.

Approaching the half hour mark Japan would make it two. Another quick break after an age of Spanish possession would see the lethal forward duo combine again as Miyazawa fed Riko Ueki for the veteran to cooly finish and double the Asian’s advantage.

The game appeared to be wrapped up just before half time when the impressive Miyazawa made it three. Another quick break found the speedster clear into the Spanish penalty area and she made no mistake, leaving Rodriiquez with no chance and the Spanish hopes of winning the group hanging by a thread.

Japan withdrew their two goal hero at the break, with one eye on the potential last 16 clash with Norway to come later this week and Spain started to enjoy even more possession through the second period.

The Japanese seemed content to allow the Iberians to knock the ball around without really threatening the goal, the Spanish almost seem content in the outcome of the encounter with the prize of facing Switzerland, ranked 19th, rather than facing 11th placed Norway.

Japan finished the job all too easy as Tanaka took the ball from a throw in on half way and cut through the Spanish defence before off loading into the top corner with a special left footed effort from 12 yards to complete the rout.

The result sees Japan face Norway on Saturday morning (Irish time) in the same venue, Wellington, while Spain will encounter Switzerland in Auckland a few hours earlier.